Category Archives: Transport
Since we are already on the green transport spree, here’s a look at another eco-friendly option. Since zipping past lanes, riding on two-wheelers is the most favored option for an urban set up, take a look at a pair of electric scooters from Vectrix. The VX-1E and VX-2 scooters are the best solution for city commuting woes. These electric scooters help to reduce the CO2 emissions and at the same time move ahead of the traffic infested lanes with ease. While the VX-1E can speed up to 62 mph with a range of 35 to 55 miles, the smaller VX-2 can only manage 30 mph along with a range of 40 to 50 miles. Three hours of plug-in is all that is needed to deliver 55 miles. Expected to be priced at $5,000 for the VX-2 and $8,500 for VX-1E, the duo seems to be the best affordable alternative for eco-commuting.
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Treading closely behind the green Honda and Lexus vehicles, Audi once again gets a chance to park in our green transport slot. About two weeks back, it was the all-LED Audi R8 that grabbed the limelight. Today it’s the silent buzz surrounding a whole new lineup of five eco-friendly Audis. These low carbon-emitting cars, christened as E1 to E5, range from city cars to racing beasts. Though there isn’t a detailed official word on this eco-friendly family of cars, it is known that E1 is the tiniest of the five. Based on the VW Up sub compact concept and fitted with small gas and diesel engines, E1 will graduate to an electric motor heart. Moving up to the two-door E2, it’s based on the VW Concept BlueSport. This one too will be shipped with two three cylinder engines at start but later will come in electric version.
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Tesla Motors inks out a deal with Daimler to power up 1,000 Smart electric vehicles for the year 2009. Though not much is revealed officially, the founder of Tesla Motors did mention that, “If the 1,000-vehicle fleet is successful and the economics make sense and the product is compelling, that will expand to tens of thousands of vehicles per year.” So we can only cross our fingers to see lithium powered Smart EVs in the near future. Though the deal was on cards since some time, the announcement came right in time for the Detroit Auto Show too. Though Daimler hasn’t divulged anything from their end, Tesla did hint that the battery will utilize the same lithium ion cells as its flagship, the Roadster. I’m sure more beans will be spilled out on this joint venture outcome.
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In this Green Age, it’s not only the green hued uniform that will render a green touch to the U.S. Army. It’s the (possible) acquisition of 4,000 neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), the largest acquisition in the entire country that brings the Army under the green scan. And this is just a fraction of the whole package that, if materializes, will support the Army with as many as 28,000 electric vehicles to over 155 installations. For a start, swapping 4000 fuel guzzling army vehicles with fuel-efficient NEVs will help save 11 million gallons of fuel over the 6-year service life of the vehicle and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 115,000 tons.
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Powered by the sun and the wind, the RORMaxx Formula AE car can zoom from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds and drive for up to 200 miles once the batteries are fully charged. Not one but two brains are working on this eco-friendly sports car prototype that will emit zero emissions. Two 18-year-old students from Harvard-Westlake High School in California, USA, are utilizing solar panels, airflow recovery, and other modern technologies to construct an alternative energy vehicle called the Formula AE. Constructed from lightweight aluminum and super strong steel in a Formula 1-style shell, the two-seater’s bodywork boasts paper-thin solar panels that could fully charge its battery in just an hour and a half.
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At the North American International Auto Show, the Japanese automaker took the cover of its green debutant, the 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid. Though a prototype model had shown up earlier, this is the production model that will hit the shores of United States in second quarter of 2009. Powered by an advanced 1.3-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy i-VTEC engine and CVT and fitted with a new generation of Honda’s IMA hybrid system, this new green baby promises exceptional fuel economy and fun-to-drive performance. To be precise, it is estimated to render 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. Though official price is unknown, the company asserts that this hybrid will cost lesser than the Civic Hybrid.
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Zooming off on the green carpet at the Detroit auto show is Lexus’ first luxury hybrid car, the 2010 HS 250h. Flaunting the title of “world’s first luxury hybrid,” this latest green baby from the house of Lexus is powered by a superior 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Consuming the fuel required by four-cylinder engine, it promises to deliver the performance of a V6. Along with a green heart, the Lexus hybrid also boasts of more green features.
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Audi R8 zooms in as the first all-LED car in the world. Right from head lamps to daytime running lights to other indicators, the energy saving LEDs power up every light source of this vehicle. Pushing aside the battery draining halogen headlights, the four times more energy efficient LED headlights render homogenous light distribution and daylight-esque color. Such a LED headlamp heralds the eco-friendly onset of the headlamps that help to leave lesser carbon footprints. The Audi R8 also boasts of a LED footwell lighting, light and rain sensors and LED engine compartment lighting.
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Every time I hit the vehicle congested city roads, I cannot stop swearing as I feel so helpless sitting behind the wheel of my fuel guzzling four wheeler waiting for the traffic to give way. But Truong Minh Nhat has actually given shape to a solution for zooming out of such a no-win situation. This industrial design student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture has designed a lightweight, compact electric bike that can actually fold into a backpack. No hassles of getting stuck in congested roads, parking or filling the gas tank. Simply wear it on your back, ride it when needed and pack it up on reaching the destination. Inspired by the Unicorn that controls the star Capella, this portable eco-friendly bike is christened as Capella. Targeting the young generation who rate the good looks as a prime reason to buy a product, Nhat has rendered a chic touch to this vehicle.
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Come 2009 and we hope to look forward to more eco-friendly vehicles hitting the road. Toyota Motors is also keeping a green vehicle under wraps. The buzz is that the car maker is working on a car that will run on sun’s energy only. Going by The Nikkei’s reports, it is known that the company is working on an electric vehicle that will get some of its power from solar cells equipped on the vehicle, and that can be recharged with electricity generated from solar panels on the roofs of homes. The newspaper also claimed that Toyota is toying with the idea of a vehicle totally powered by solar cells. Although there is no official word from the auto maker about this green-rumor, we can only wait for the leader in green technology to fulfill such green expectations in the near future.
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